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ABOUT BLOOD PRESSURE
What is Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure is the pressure exerted on the artery walls while blood flows through the arteries. The pressure measured when the heart contracts and sends blood out of the heart is systolic (highest) blood pressure. The pressure measured when the heart dilates with blood flowing back into the heart is called diastolic (lowest) blood pressure.
Why Measure Your Blood Pressure? Among today’s various health problems, those associated with high blood pressure are very common. High blood pressure dangerously correlates with cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, blood pressure monitoring is important for identifying those at risk.
BLOOD PRESSURE STANDARD
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the
National High Blood Pressure Education Program Coordinating Committee have developed a blood pressure standard, that identifies areas of low- and
This standard, however, is a general guideline as an individual’s blood pressure varies among different people, age groups, etc.
| Systolic (mmHg) | Diastolic (mmHg) |
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Stage 2 Hypertension | >160 | >100 |
Stage 1 Hypertension | 140~159 | 90~99 |
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Prehypertension | 120~139 | 80~89 |
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Normal | <120 | <80 |
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To determine category of risk when systolic and diastolic readings fall into two areas, use the higher of the two numbers for classification.
This monitor comes equipped with a WHO Health Indicator to visually indicate the assumed risk level of each reading based upon these WHO standards. See page 21 for more information on this feature.
It is important that you consult with your physician regularly. Your physician will tell you your normal blood pressure range as well as the point at which you will be considered at risk.
For reliable monitoring and reference of blood pressure, keeping
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